NationStates

Heylo all!

Been a while since I was in the WA Authoring suite so I figured I'd pen something up and see where we go

Preservation of Artefacts

---

Category: Education and Creativity | Area of effect: Cultural Heritage

---

Esteemed members of the World Assembly,

Acknowledging the tremendous work this esteemed body tirelessly undertakes towards the betterment of the international community.

Proud that years from now, the legislative libraries left behind by this august assembly will leave a historical legacy for the generations to come yet.

Cognizant that whilst our legacy will be preserved, this will not be the case for all nations and their historical footprints.

Resolved to ensuring that no nation simply fades into obscurity.

Hereby;

(I)Mandates that no nation be it occupying, invading, defending or native, or person(s) representing a nation in an official capacity is permitted to destroy an item which, on a reasonable suspicion would lend itself to the belief that this item is of historical significance barring a circumstance of immediate threat to life or limb that would justify said destruction.

(II)Creates the International Historical Archives, a non-profit archive established under and sustained via WA funds thereafter, accompanied by an educational visitor center established as part of this archive, allowing generations current and future to learn of civilisations past and present and to benefit from same.

(III)Mandates that any historical artefact coming to the possession of a government should be;
(a)If native to that land, preserved/displayed in a way seen best fit by the government of the day.
(b)(I)If not native to that land transferred to the IHA for analysis, cataloguing, display and preservation post any scientific analysis deemed appropriate by the discovering party (unless such analysis would risk the destruction of said artefact), without delay or,
(b)(ii)If not native to that land and the movement/transfer of such would result in irreperable damage to, or destruction of the artefact in question, preserved in situ until such a time as it can be safely removed.
(c)If an item is discovered by an invading force and would be native to the land in which it is discovered, subsection (b) will apply.

(IV)Clarifies that the purpose of the IHA is purely the preservation of historical items for educational and scientific reasons and that should any national government wish to reclaim an item archived pursuant to (III)(a) the archive will comply with this request.

(V)Further clarifies that if an item is sent to the IHA pursuant to section III(B) or III(C) and subsequent tests reveal it to be an item native to the land of discovery, section (IV) will apply.

(VI)Encourages further national governments to volunteer their own artefacts to the IHA for educational display and preservation purposes.

Defining for the purpose of this act;
Historical Significance as; important in the historical growth, development or understanding of a culture, nation, civilization or person of note.

Any feedback appreciated, I just wanted to get back into the swing of writing

Updated and edited 20/3/2016 with tweaks as suggested in various posts.

"What constitutes 'historical significance' in your book? A crumbling ancient forum? A phallus-shaped tower that has stood erect for two hundred years? A history textbook? I'd like a definition of 'historical significance'."

Wallenburg wrote:"What constitutes 'historical significance' in your book? A crumbling ancient forum? A phallus-shaped tower that has stood erect for two hundred years? A history textbook? I'd like a definition of 'historical significance'."

I've added one in (the refining of which would be appreciated).

(OOC: have taken a copy of the text, will read it this evening after going offline.)

How is this not already done by Cultural Site Preservation?

Imperium Anglorum wrote:How is this not already done by Cultural Site Preservation?

As the title with that particular piece suggests (and Douria and I consulted a wee bit on that particular piece as he was drafting it) that extends only to sites of cultural heritage. This is artefacts, which is everything from texts to weapons and so forth which will ultimately be preserved and displayed for educational purposes in an international archive. Again distinctly different from Douria's piece.

Abacathea wrote:Creates the International historical archives

Would that be an area of the forum similar to passed resolutions?

Povinksi wrote:

Abacathea wrote:Creates the International historical archives

Would that be an area of the forum similar to passed resolutions?

OOC: no. That's pretty obviously an IC committee.

Separatist Peoples wrote:

Povinksi wrote:Would that be an area of the forum similar to passed resolutions?

OOC: no. That's pretty obviously an IC committee.

I knew that. I meant would we have an archive of nations with significance in the international community? For example, if you ever ceased to exist, we'd wright you up and give a brief description of your nation(Not that you're going to die out any time soon).

Povinksi wrote:

Separatist Peoples wrote:OOC: no. That's pretty obviously an IC committee.

I knew that. I meant would we have an archive of nations with significance in the international community? For example, if you ever ceased to exist, we'd wright you up and give a brief description of your nation(Not that you're going to die out any time soon).

In theory if you wanted to do something like that absolutely nothing would be stopping you, but for me to mandate you specifically realistically do that would be game mechanics and that's not allowed no.

Povinksi wrote:

Separatist Peoples wrote:OOC: no. That's pretty obviously an IC committee.

I knew that. I meant would we have an archive of nations with significance in the international community? For example, if you ever ceased to exist, we'd wright you up and give a brief description of your nation(Not that you're going to die out any time soon).

OOC: only if Aba wanted to have this dinged for Game Mechanics.

On the subject of that committee, could you capitalise that committee's name into title case so it is clear that it is a committee?

Imperium Anglorum wrote:On the subject of that committee, could you capitalise that committee's name into title case so it is clear that it is a committee?

A minor oversight. Rectified.

Clover smiled "I see a ghost from the past! In any case, I'm always up for a culture resolution. Other than the misspelled title (Artifacts), the one thing that sticks out is the requirement to hand over artifacts found not-native to a committee immediately, denying the discovering nation a chance to properly study them first.

I shall look in more detail layer. Welcome back!"

Normlpeople wrote:Clover smiled "I see a ghost from the past! In any case, I'm always up for a culture resolution. Other than the misspelled title (Artifacts), the one thing that sticks out is the requirement to hand over artifacts found not-native to a committee immediately, denying the discovering nation a chance to properly study them first.

I shall look in more detail layer. Welcome back!"

Merci! Dunno how long these ghosty bones will patrol the halls but I figured whilst I'm here, might as well get authoring.

I originally had the spelling artifact (which I'm so commonly used to) but spell check kept changing it to artefact which apparently is valid (according to google) so I went with it in a brief moment of doubt. I suspect both are correct so....

Abacathea wrote:

Normlpeople wrote:Clover smiled "I see a ghost from the past! In any case, I'm always up for a culture resolution. Other than the misspelled title (Artifacts), the one thing that sticks out is the requirement to hand over artifacts found not-native to a committee immediately, denying the discovering nation a chance to properly study them first.

I shall look in more detail layer. Welcome back!"

Merci! Dunno how long these ghosty bones will patrol the halls but I figured whilst I'm here, might as well get authoring.

I originally had the spelling artifact (which I'm so commonly used to) but spell check kept changing it to artefact which apparently is valid (according to google) so I went with it in a brief moment of doubt. I suspect both are correct so....

OOC: Yeah both are correct. The "e" tends to be more common in British English, "i" in American English.

Wrapper wrote:

Abacathea wrote:
Merci! Dunno how long these ghosty bones will patrol the halls but I figured whilst I'm here, might as well get authoring.

I originally had the spelling artifact (which I'm so commonly used to) but spell check kept changing it to artefact which apparently is valid (according to google) so I went with it in a brief moment of doubt. I suspect both are correct so....

OOC: Yeah both are correct. The "e" tends to be more common in British English, "i" in American English.

Thanks wrapper. Loves ya!

Tightened up the text slightly and added section (V).

Abacathea wrote:Proud that years from now, the legislative libraries left behind by this august assembly will leave a historical legacy for the generations to come yet.

"As well as every horrid piece of legislation ever repealed, eternally staining the reputation of this body."

Abacathea wrote:Cognizant that whilst our legacy will be preserved, this will not be the case for all nations and their historical footprints.
Resolved to ensuring that no nation simply fades into obscurity.

"And what of Civilizations that would choose to fade into history? If their legacy is not one they wish to be remembered, are we to prevent them from the attempt?"

Abacathea wrote:(I)Mandates that no nation be it occupying, invading, defending or native, or person(s) representing a nation in an official capacity is permitted to destroy an item which, on a reasonable suspicion would lend itself to the belief that this item is of historical significance barring a circumstance of immediate threat to life or limb that would justify said destruction.

"And if this device happens to be a Weapon of some sort, that, while not immediately a threat by any consideration, if claimed by enemy forces could cause significant devastation to the surrounding area?"

Abacathea wrote:(II)Creates the International Historical Archives, a non-profit archive established initially under WA funds and self sustaining thereafter on an educational visitor center established as part of this archive, allowing generations current and future to learn of civilizations past and present and to benefit from same.

"History is not a Market, the Archive should be consistently funded through the General Fund, and a cost of entry should not be demanded."

Abacathea wrote:(a)If native to that land, preserved/displayed in a way seen best fit by the government of the day.
(b)If not native to that land handed over to the IHA for analysis, cataloguing, display and preservation without delay.

"And what if this artifact is of technological value? The Imperium is currently excavating a subterranean Installation on Balder, that clearly Pre-Dates Imperial colonization of the world, and, if early reports are to believed, by no means a primitive structure. Are we to simply place devices uncovered in the hands of an International Organization? Or lock it in a Museum of some manner? For all we know, the device may be some manner of Explosive."

Abacathea wrote:(c)If an item is discovered by an invading force and would be native to the land discovered, subsection (b) will apply.

"Why could the object not be displayed in an Imperial museum in the region?"

Abacathea wrote:(IV)Clarifies that the purpose of the IHA is purely the preservation of historical items for educational and scientific reasons and that should any national government wish to reclaim an item archived pursuant to (III)(a) the archive will comply with this request.

"This would be best clarified to ensure that only the government controlling the territory in which the object was located. The Imperium, at this time, cannot grant assurances of support, or opposition."

Tinfect wrote:

Abacathea wrote:Proud that years from now, the legislative libraries left behind by this august assembly will leave a historical legacy for the generations to come yet.

"As well as every horrid piece of legislation ever repealed, eternally staining the reputation of this body."

Your cynicism is duly noted.

Abacathea wrote:Cognizant that whilst our legacy will be preserved, this will not be the case for all nations and their historical footprints.
Resolved to ensuring that no nation simply fades into obscurity.

"And what of Civilizations that would choose to fade into history? If their legacy is not one they wish to be remembered, are we to prevent them from the attempt?"

Archaeology and history is filled with lessons learned and advancements made from the study of histories that desired to be forgotten or the nation involved would rather wasn't remember 70 years on. If they're legacy is going to be discovered, it will be discovered either way, regardless of whether it's subject to this legislation or not.

Abacathea wrote:(I)Mandates that no nation be it occupying, invading, defending or native, or person(s) representing a nation in an official capacity is permitted to destroy an item which, on a reasonable suspicion would lend itself to the belief that this item is of historical significance barring a circumstance of immediate threat to life or limb that would justify said destruction.

"And if this device happens to be a Weapon of some sort, that, while not immediately a threat by any consideration, if claimed by enemy forces could cause significant devastation to the surrounding area?"

Are you suggesting the discovery of some historical nuke? A weapon of considerable destruction could be claimed by enemy forces at any point regardless of whether historical or otherwise. If anything, it would be safer in the archives then rather than lying waiting to be used no?

Abacathea wrote:(II)Creates the International Historical Archives, a non-profit archive established initially under WA funds and self sustaining thereafter on an educational visitor center established as part of this archive, allowing generations current and future to learn of civilizations past and present and to benefit from same.

"History is not a Market, the Archive should be consistently funded through the General Fund, and a cost of entry should not be demanded."

The research aspect will be funded by the general fund, but a museum is still a museum sir and admission costs would allow the drainage on the funds to be minimalistic. The General Fund should not be used as a blank cheque to the whims of authors and ambassadors alike.

Abacathea wrote:(a)If native to that land, preserved/displayed in a way seen best fit by the government of the day.
(b)If not native to that land handed over to the IHA for analysis, cataloguing, display and preservation without delay.

"And what if this artifact is of technological value? The Imperium is currently excavating a subterranean Installation on Balder, that clearly Pre-Dates Imperial colonization of the world, and, if early reports are to believed, by no means a primitive structure. Are we to simply place devices uncovered in the hands of an International Organization? Or lock it in a Museum of some manner? For all we know, the device may be some manner of Explosive."

Preservation of cultural sites probably covers this one already. If it doesn't, I'm sure those responsible for cataloguing, preserving and researching the items that come into its care will know sufficiently how to handle it. Furthermore, if you're researching something within your own lands you're not OBLIGED under law to hand it over, merely encouraged. Therefore, this point is moot.

Abacathea wrote:(c)If an item is discovered by an invading force and would be native to the land discovered, subsection (b) will apply.

"Why could the object not be displayed in an Imperial museum in the region?"

History is often written by the victors, and sometimes this authoring process involves the destruction of items of significance. I'm preventing that with this piece.

Abacathea wrote:(IV)Clarifies that the purpose of the IHA is purely the preservation of historical items for educational and scientific reasons and that should any national government wish to reclaim an item archived pursuant to (III)(a) the archive will comply with this request.

"This would be best clarified to ensure that only the government controlling the territory in which the object was located. The Imperium, at this time, cannot grant assurances of support, or opposition."

Governments change. Places of origin rarely do.

Abacathea wrote:Are you suggesting the discovery of some historical nuke? A weapon of considerable destruction could be claimed by enemy forces at any point regardless of whether historical or otherwise. If anything, it would be safer in the archives then rather than lying waiting to be used no?

"Not quite an Explosive, Ambassador, as such a thing would constitute an immediate threat. In any case, the weapon would be safer destroyed, than stored anywhere, Ambassador, which is the point of contention."

Abacathea wrote:The research aspect will be funded by the general fund, but a museum is still a museum sir and admission costs would allow the drainage on the funds to be minimalistic. The General Fund should not be used as a blank cheque to the whims of authors and ambassadors alike.

"Ambassador, the General Fund exists solely to provide for any maintenance and upkeep the World Assembly requires. As such, it is within its purpose to be used to cover the expenditure of the construction and maintenance of the International Archive.
The coffers of the World Assembly are deep, I am certain, the Archive will be of minimal drain on its resources. Costs of Admission are unnecessary, and would only turn away visitors to the Archive."

Abacathea wrote:Preservation of cultural sites probably covers this one already. If it doesn't, I'm sure those responsible for cataloguing, preserving and researching the items that come into its care will know sufficiently how to handle it.

"You seem to misunderstand the situation. This structure is the only example of any civilization that pre-dates the Imperium on Balder. Resolution 287 has absolutely nothing to do with it.

Abacathea wrote:Furthermore, if you're researching something within your own lands you're not OBLIGED under law to hand it over, merely encouraged. Therefore, this point is moot.

"Again, you seem to misunderstand the situation, the Structure, being the only evidence of Civilization on Balder that predates the Imperium, is all but certain to have originated elsewhere. Under this Resolution, we would be required to turn over the site to an International Body, as, from the resolution;

(III)Mandates that any historical artifact coming to the possession of a government should be;
[...]
(b)If not native to that land handed over to the IHA for analysis, cataloguing, display and preservation without delay.

Abacathea wrote:History is often written by the victors, and sometimes this authoring process involves the destruction of items of significance. I'm preventing that with this piece.

"Fair enough, Ambassador."

Abacathea wrote:Governments change. Places of origin rarely do.

"I fail to see how this is relevant to my statement. Why would it be of difficulty to return the object to its location of origin, if the territory is controlled by a government other than the one that produced the object?"

I find it problematic that this non-profit being set up will be self-sustaining. That implies it will be a business and subject to people making profits off this. How do you address this concern?

Le bump.

"Artefacts"

It is artifacts if I am not wrong...right?

KaiserAdolf wrote:"Artefacts"

It is artifacts if I am not wrong...right?

OOC: Artefacts is the British spelling, and is acceptable.